I got approved for SSDIB in May, 2008, with a considerable retroactive period. I've been told since July that the payment is at the local payment center (Jamaica, NY). How long under the law do they have to issue a check/direct deposit?

There may not be a time period. My SSDI was approved in October 2007, received my award letter in December 2008, and received my backpay in June 2008. So it took 6 months. Apparently large backpay amounts must be signed by 3 people, and in my case, they were taking their sweet time. My lawyer's office called them several times trying to speed it up. My son's backpay took 7 months. I suspect the larger the payout, the slower the process.

There may not be a time period. My SSDI was approved in October 2007, received my award letter in December 2008, and received my backpay in June 2008. So it took 6 months. Apparently large backpay amounts must be signed by 3 people, and in my case, they were taking their sweet time. My lawyer's office called them several times trying to speed it up. My son's backpay took 7 months. I suspect the larger the payout, the slower the process.

Thanks for the response, roses4lace. BTW, what does the SSA consider to be a large retro payment? Anything over 10K?

I got approved for SSDIB in May, 2008, with a considerable retroactive period. I've been told since July that the payment is at the local payment center (Jamaica, NY). How long under the law do they have to issue a check/direct deposit?

Please forgive my ignorance Evaness, but what is SSDIB? This is something I have not seen before.
Thanks if advance.

Please forgive my ignorance Evaness, but what is SSDIB? This is something I have not seen before.
Thanks if advance.

SSDIB = Soc Sec Disability Insurance Benefits. I think I saw the abbreviation on the Soc Sec website, or maybe in an information booklet. It's the same as SSDI, with the added word "benefits".

BTW, there has to be a time limit that they have to pay your retroactive benefits by. Otherwise the whole concept would be meaningless. The definition of a disability says you're eligible if you're condition lasts 12 months or more or is expected to result in death. So I bet they have a 12 month time limit to pay up.